Album Review: Moonlight Haze – Animus (Scarlet Records)

Animus, a Latin word that has different meanings: vital force, conscience, soul, mind and courage. Also the title of Italian symphonic power metal band, Moonlight Haze’s third studio album. Due for release on the 18th March 2022 via Scarlet Records.

Bombastic chest-thumping and hair-raising symphonic power metal in the vein of Sonata Arctica, Symphony X and Nightwish. There is a comforting familiarity to Moonlight Haze’s new album.

Getting off on the right foot with a glorious blend of metal energy, soaring vocals, powerful orchestration and more, The Nothing is a top start. It’s then followed by the super catchy sound of It’s Insane. Before Kintsugi showcases a thrilling vein of symphonic brilliance running through a foot-tapping and head-banging heavy metal rhythm. The first three tracks everything you could hope for when you see the genre that Moonlight Haze sit in.

It’s more and more feel-good, powerful, symphonic metal gold with the title track. Where, shockingly and briefly, the vocals get really throaty and nasty sounding. The Thief and The Moon, where thumping drums and spitting riffs act as the balance to the melodrama of the vocals. Midnight Haze, where a guitar solo makes a run of the mill symphonic metal effort sound so much grander.

Though it’s back to a much more bombastic listen with the cinematically tinged Tonight. A track that has all the lavishness of a band that is ten albums deep instead of just being on their third.

Spent? Moonlight Haze are far from done. Never Say Never is the most ‘Nightwish-y’ sounding track on the album. Whereas both We’ll Be Free and A Ritual of Fire are magnificent examples of just why so many people love and adore the sound of symphonic power metal.

Animus is an incredible effort from Moonlight Haze and the kind of release that sends them soaring into the stratosphere of a genre dominated by a handful of bands. Need further proof? Just press play on the finale of Horror & Thunder and marvel at just how animated this album is even at the very end.

Moonlight Haze – Animus Full Track Listing:

1. The Nothing
2. It’s Insane
3. Kintsugi
4. Animus
5. The Thief and The Moon
6. Midnight Haze
7. Tonight
8. Never Say Never
9. We’ll Be Free
10. A Ritual of Fire
11. Horror & Thunder

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